Vehicle floor mat with folding portion

Abstract

A floor covering or mat for a vehicle is provided, the covering including a hinged flap portion extending from one side, the hinged flap portion in a first position being folded beneath the covering or mat, for storage. In a second position, the hinged flap portion may be folded over onto the top surface of the mat and provide a protective surface and/or display a logo or other information. In a third position, the hinged flap may extend outside of the vehicle and over the door sill and bumper to bridge any gaps and provide a smooth transition for sliding items out of the cargo space. In another aspect, a floor covering for a vehicle is provided, the covering including a hinged flap portion extending from one side, wherein the hinged flap portion may be folded over onto the top surface of the covering and sides of the hinged flap portion folded up and fastened together to form a storage structure.

1 . A floor covering or floor mat for a vehicle, comprising:
 a molded article configured to fit within a cargo space in a vehicle, said article having sides;   said article including a hinged flap portion extending from one side;   wherein in a first position the hinged flap portion is folded beneath said floor covering, in a second position the hinge flap portion may be folded over onto the top surface of said floor covering or mat, and in a third position at least a portion of the hinged flap portion may extend outside of said vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 1  wherein said cargo space is located adjacent a door opening having a door sill and in said third position the hinged flap portion covers at least a portion of said door sill. 
     
     
         3 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 2  wherein said door opening is for a rear door adjacent a bumper and a portion of said flap portion overlies at least a portion of said bumper. 
     
     
         4 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 1  wherein said floor covering or said floor mat is a molded article. 
     
     
         5 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 1  wherein said floor covering or said floor mat comprises a plurality of layers. 
     
     
         6 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 1  wherein said hinged flap portion is integrally formed with said floor covering or floor mat and connected along one or more hinge lines. 
     
     
         7 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 6  wherein said one or more hinge lines comprise one or more depressions in the front and/or rear surface of said floor covering or floor mat. 
     
     
         8 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 1  wherein said hinged flap portion is connected to said floor covering or floor mat by a separate hinge. 
     
     
         9 . The floor covering of  claim 1  wherein said hinged flap portion includes a back side and said back side includes one or more of logos, depressions, protrusions, and texture. 
     
     
         10 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 5  wherein said plurality of layers includes a top layer of carpet. 
     
     
         11 . A floor covering or floor mat for a vehicle, comprising:
 a molded article configured to fit within the passenger space in a vehicle and having sides;   said article including a first hinged flap portion extending from one side;   said first hinged flap portion including a plurality of hinge lines disposed within said first hinged flap portion and a plurality of second hinged flap portions;   wherein in a first position the first hinged flap portion is folded beneath said floor covering or mat for storage, and in a second position the first hinged flap portion may be folded over onto the top surface of said floor covering or mat and said plurality of second hinged flap portions may be folded along said plurality of hinge lines and fastened together to form a container.   
     
     
         12 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 11  said floor covering or said floor mat is a molded article. 
     
     
         13 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 11  wherein said floor covering or said floor mat comprises a plurality of layers. 
     
     
         14 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 11  wherein said first hinged flap portion is integrally formed with said floor covering or floor mat and connected along said plurality of hinge lines. 
     
     
         15 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 14  wherein said plurality of hinge lines comprise one or more depressions in the front and/or rear surface of said floor covering or floor mat. 
     
     
         16 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 11  wherein said hinged flap portion is connected to said floor covering or floor mat by a separate hinge. 
     
     
         17 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 11  wherein said first hinged flap portion is generally rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         18 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 11  wherein said first hinged flap portion is generally trapezoidal in shape. 
     
     
         19 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 11  wherein said opposing sides and said second hinged flap portion are fastened together to form a three-sided container by one or more of snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, elastic bands, tie strings and buttons. 
     
     
         20 . The floor covering or floor mat of  claim 13  wherein said plurality of layers includes a top layer of carpet.